always handy, smooth headway to lead after last, driven clear flat
always behind, beaten 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 4 out, beaten when hit 2 out
mid-division, weakened from 4 out, behind and pulled up before 2 out
led until headed 3 out, ridden and weakened from next
prominent, led 3 out, ridden approaching last, headed after, gradually weakened flat
mid-division, smooth headway to chase leaders after 3 out, ridden and weakened from approaching last
mid-division, ridden and weakened from 4 out
mid-division until ridden and weakened 4 out
Division One of the Novice hurdle appears to be a match between SIR TANTALLUS HAWK and Maxwellton Braes with the former getting the marginal call while Sundae best should be better for top connections than he showed on debut. The Alan Swinbank trained selection is already proving to a pretty useful performer having already won a bumper before adding a similar contest to this last time. Things will be tougher having to concede weight all round but his performance in a better race two starts back showed he could be better than this grade. Maxwellton Braes improved for turning out on soft last time to only be beaten, a long way clear in second, by a very promising sort from Howard Johnson's yard. That form looks pretty strong in the context of this race and more can be expected again. Sundae Best should come on from his debut run when disappointingly finishing well down the field. Part of the Wylie ownership empire he should have more and the softer ground may help. It's very hard to find anything to recommend anything else here and in a race that is in danger of turning into a match Sir Tantallus Hawk should come out on top.
Sir Tantallus Hawk 7-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden to lead approaching last, soon clear, won at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Sparrow Hills (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Alfoisin (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened over 3f out, 12th of 15, 50l behind McMurrough (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in May.
Doodlebop (IRE) 200-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, gradually weakened, 11th of 16, well behind Livvy Inn (10-2) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Even Smarter 250-1 (10-7) Mid-division, weakened from 7th, behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Divers (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec, 13 ran.
Maxwellton Braes 40-1 (11-2) Chased winner, ridden approaching 2 out, always held, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Quwetwo (11-8) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Nonotreally 20-1 (10-11) Behind, struggling 5th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Pass It On (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct '06, 12 ran.
Sundae Best (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Held up, headway halfway, weakened over 4f out, 10th of 15, 49l behind Little Josh (11-6) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gs in Oct.
Yarrow Valley 40-1 (11-2) Behind, struggling halfway, tailed off final 3f, last of 8, well behind Sitting Tennant (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nhf (6) hvy in Feb.
Fizzen (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Close up until lost place over 7f out, soon behind, 10th of 13, 38l behind Sharevar (11-3) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gf in Jun.
What A Cliche 200-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off, 12th of 18, well behind Fushe Jo (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
